Wednesday, March 5, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
TOM THOMAS, his wife, Leslie, and the Thomas & Mack Co. were the gracious hosts for "An Intimate Evening in Las Vegas." The Monday event was a tantalizing glimpse into the grandeur of the Utah Shakespeare Festival, more than whetting the appetite among attendees for the coming 36th season of this summer favorite.
Welcomed by Gary Armagnac, USF education director, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, followed by dinner in Russell's at the Community College of Southern Nevada.
Guests, including Ed and Maureen Kane with Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Feldman, Beecher and Sandi Avants, Bill and Mary Laub, Lincoln and Helen Stock and Charlene Herst with Marcia Arado, quickly settled at tables with friends to enjoy the cuisine of Chef Tom Rosenberg, director of CCSN's Culinary Arts Institute.
Table-hopping to greet friends of long standing was USF founder-producer Fred Adams, who was seen with Edythe Katz Yarchever and hubby Gil, as well as Frances Saxton, Kay and Allen Brown, Frank and Charlene Scott, Bob Parks, and Ken and Betty Miller.
With an eye to pleasure, the festival's touring company, now midway on a three-month schedule, gave a generous look at its education outreach programs, explaining proceeds from the evening will further their efforts in our community.
Guests, led in a processional by King Henry VIII and his first wife, Queen Catherine, were enthralled by Adams' rich narrative on "The Age of Elizabeth I." Punctuated by the majesty of the Virgin Queen's bejeweled gowns, each faithfully copied from her favorite portraits, his talk shared insights as to how Elizabeth I led a minor nation to greatness and a flowering of the fine arts.
With video cameras capturing scenes for a documentary on the festival, guests adjourned to dessert in the lobby of Horn Theater. French pastries, fine wines and other refreshments were offered to John and Sue Mowbray, Dr. Ken and Kerrin Hanlon, Ian and Irma Lee Ross, and Rene and Glenn Raynes.
Mingling in the crowd with up-to-date details on the season ahead was Wendy Armagnac, USF marketing director, joined by Lynn Davis, festival liaison for Southern Nevada. Present as well were Las Vegas members of the USF board, Dr. Allen Anes and Corrine Tiberti.
"Hamlet," performed with a cast of 10, proved a riveting conclusion to the evening. While some guests enjoyed onstage seating for an intimate look at staging techniques, others, including Pat Marchese, Andrea Thomas with Robert Spinelli, Stan Fuke, Mike McEnaney and M.J. and Jack Harvey, enjoyed the production from more traditional seating.
"Hamlet" and other special presentations will be enjoyed by 4,000 students in local middle and high school students over the next 10 days. Public performances are at 8 nightly, during the run of March 4-8 and 10-13 at CCSN, with reservations by calling 651-LIVE. The Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City opens June 23, with six revolving productions in three theaters. Festival ticks will be sold at each "Hamlet" performance or by calling (800) PLAYTIX.
Secret success
Secret Witness is a program that involves the public, media and law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime. It offers anonymity and cash rewards for persons who furnish information leading to the arrest and indictment of felony offenders.
Formed by a group of citizens in the 1970s, Secret Witness has a Citizens Board of Directors that works with federal, state, county and local law enforcement and raises the money necessary to keep the reward money available. This program is funded totally by donations. As of this date, Secret Witness has paid out more than $1 million in rewards and removed nearly 9,000 felony offenders from our community's streets.
On March 8, Secret Witness will present "Dixieland Jam," a fund-raiser for this worthy cause. Serving as honorary chairmen are District Court Judge Donald Mosley and Justice Court Judge Bill Jansen. Tickets for the dinner dance at the Orleans hotel-casino are available by calling 229-3445.
Parade people
Looking ahead to their annual St. Patrick's Parade are members of the Las Vegas Sons of Erin. March 17 festivities include a block party as well as the parade and will honor Son of the Year William "Bill" Fanning, an 18-year member and past activity chairman and parade coordinator.
Also named at a recent meeting was the parade's grand marshal, Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald. Known for his many civic activities, McDonald has worked closely with a number of senior citizen events and programs.
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